The State of Queensland
The State of Queensland
Population: 4.28 million (2007)
GHG Emissions: 158.5 million tonnes of
CO2e (2007)
Targets/Goals
- A 60 per cent cut in greenhouse emissions by 2050
- Government to be carbon neutral by 2020
- 10% of energy from renewable sources by 2010 and 15% by 2020
- 18% by 2020 the proportion of gas in power sourced by retailers and major industries
Top Actions
In June 2007, the Queensland Government launched its climate change strategy, ClimateSmart 2050. ClimateSmart 2050 established Queensland's long-term climate change goals and provided a platform for the Government, community and industry to move to a low carbon future. It also released ClimateSmart Adaptation 2007-12, which is a five year action plan for preparing Queensland communities and industries for the consequences of climate change. The plan includes 62 actions for implementation.
ClimateSmart 2050 outlined a comprehensive suite of initiatives covering the community, energy, transport, primary industries, industry, planning and building sectors, and represents a total initial investment of AUD$1.4 billion, including AUD$844 million by the Government.
Energy Efficiency
- The Smart Energy Savings Program requiring medium to
large energy users to conduct audits, submit energy
savings plans to the government, and publicly release information
on their energy savings.
- AUD$55 million Smart Energy Savings Fund complements the Smart
Energy Savings Program and provides incentives for small to
medium enterprise energy users to invest in energy
efficiency measures.
- Development of the AUD$60 million ClimateSmart Home Service to
improve energy efficiency in households across
Queensland and reduce greenhouse emissions. For a small service
fee, a qualified tradesperson will visit households to conduct an
energy audit, provide energy advice and install energy saving tools
such as a household energy monitor, a water efficient showerhead,
and 15 compact fluorescent light globes.
- Introduced a phase out of the installation of electric
hot water systems in existing homes from 2010 initially,
in houses within the gas reticulated network. All existing electric
systems must be replaced by greenhouse friendly alternatives. This
should reduce demand by 300 megawatts of electricity and eliminate
approximately 2.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. With the
introduction of the Solar Hot Water Rebate Schemeinstallations
increased from less than 1000 systems installed each year to 12,
000 systems in 2005, abating 1.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gas
each year.
- The Government Energy Management Strategy (GEMS) is an energy efficiency initiative across the Queensland Government. By using less energy, agencies save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. GEMS has set a target of reducing the whole-of-government electricity bill by AUD$22 million by 2010. Agencies taking up the GEMS challenge are rewarded financially by retaining savings made on their electricity bills, thereby redirecting funds to priority projects. To date, agencies have saved 5900 tonnes each year of greenhouse gases.
Renewable Energy
- In October 2007, the Queensland Government established an
Office of Clean Energy to promote the use of renewable
energy. The Office will work with electricity
providers and the Federal Government; map, identify and source
potential renewable energy locations around the State; and work to
remove regulatory barriers preventing renewable energy industry
development;
- A Solar Bonus Scheme (Feed-in Tariff), for which a bonus of
44c/kWh will be paid to households and small businesses whose
solar systems feed excess electricity back to the
grid.
- Queensland is the first Australian state to enact
specific legislation for the development of geothermal
energy. The Geothermal Exploration Act 2004 and the
Geothermal Exploration Regulation Act 2005 have regulated the
exploration of geothermal resources for parties interested in
developing geothermal energy generation projects. Thirteen new
areas are being opened up for tender for geothermal exploration
across Queensland and over the next five years the State will
invest AUD$15 million to establish the Queensland Geothermal Centre
of Excellence.
- AUD$50 million Renewable Energy Fund to provide support to industry to deploy significant renewable energy generation in areas like geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, bagasse and other renewable energy sources.
Transportation
- In 200809, the government has allocated over AUD$1.3 billion
making a record investment in public transport
infrastructure and services including rail network
upgrades and new busways, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure and
community engagement programs such as TravelSmart.
- Since introducing TransLink in 2004 which oversees provision of
standardised fares and single ticketing for trains, buses and
ferries, public transport patronage in South East Queensland has
increased by 40 per cent, increasing by 6.6 per cent alone since
the 2006-07 financial year. This equates to an additional
46 million journeys made by public transport since 2004
reducing transport related greenhouse gas emissions.
- Queensland is introducing the go card to make travel on public transport more efficient and convenient; and delivering 44 three-car Citytrain carriage sets between 2007 and 2010.
Promoting Low Carbon Technology
- The AUD$430 million Queensland Climate Change Fund will provide
approximately AUD$30 million every year to support new
climate change initiatives.
- AUD$900 million will go towards demonstrating carbon
capture and storage technologies, including a AUD$300
million contribution by the Queensland Government from the
Queensland Future Growth Fund and AUD$600 million from the State's
coal industry.
- Establishment of Australia's only gas scheme in 2000 and achieved the target of 13 per cent of all power sourced by electricity retailers and major industries to be from Queensland-based gas-fired generation. Building on the success of this scheme, the target will be increased to 18 per cent by 2020 to provide additional lower-emission generation for Queensland.
Adaptation
- Queenslands leading work in the adaptation space has been recognised and they lead Australia in this important area, for example, by chairing the national working group on adaptation, establishing the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility at Griffith University, and incorporating Climate Change Impact Statements in all relevant Cabinet Submissions.
Other
- One of the most significant actions being implemented by the Queensland Government, and an Australian-first, is the requirement for Climate Change Impact Statements to be included in all relevant Cabinet submissions. Climate Change Impact Statements allow Queensland Cabinet to better consider the impact of its decisions on the States greenhouse gas profile. The statements also enable climate change impacts to be appropriately addressed during the development of a proposal; reducing the potential for costly remedial action.